Prithviraj wants to pick ministers on merit, ability

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan is expected to select his cabinet colleagues only on the basis of merit and ability.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan is expected to select his cabinet colleagues only on the basis of merit and ability.

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From the Congress pool, Chavan was sworn in alone, while the Nationalist Congress Party had a 10-member team sworn in on Thursday.

Sources said a tough-talking Chavan would have a big say in who makes it to the list (of ministers) that he will present to the high command for approval. The final announcement will be made on Monday or Tuesday.

Chavan made his stand very clear. “I have a clear mandate and directives from the high command to bring in change and provide good governance,” he told a gathering at a felicitation function held at the State Congress Committee’s headquarters in Parel on Friday.

Traditionally, ministers are picked on the basis of regional quotas and caste considerations. Godfathers, who enjoy a good rapport with the high command, also influence the selections. Chavan said, “I would certainly like to have people on merit and their ability to deliver.” Congress sources said seniors like Narayan Rane, Patangrao Kadam, Balasaheb Thorat, Harshvardhan Patil, Naseem Khan, etc, would retain their berths.